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James & Jane Shirley

My family appears in the 1900 census in Isabel, Fulton County,
Illinois. Until I found that census, I understood that James and
Jane Shirley lived in Mason County since they arrived in about
1870. I see from a map that Isabel Twp is not too far from Mason
County. I assume they left for work (with children James, Martha
& William John). Their children are back in Mason County by 1910
census along with Jane living with Martha. Son, Robert, stayed
in Mason County, living next to his Uncle John.

I would appreciate hearing about work and travel conditions at the beginning
of the 1900's which might lead the family to move away and then return. As
far as I know, James did not own land in Mason County, but his brother, John
did. Any information about the Shirley family would be appreciated. I have
their names and dates but not much about their lives.

I am looking for any information on a John Rogers and Biddy E.
Elmore Rogers, married 1868 in Mason County, Illinois. They are
my GGG Grandparents. They had two children, John and Nora
May. Their daughter, Nora May Rogers Morgan, is my GG
Grandmother. The only things that are known about them is from
my Grandfather, Tommy Dietrich. He was a young boy when his
Grandmother, Nora Rogers Morgan lived with his family until her
death in Mason City, Illinois in the 1940's. He is the last
living legacy to this side of my family. He remembers his
grandmother telling him that she was not raised by her parents,
but by an Uncle Barney that was born in Cork, Ireland. However,
according to the 1880 census Nora (age 9) was living with her
Uncle Jacob Herwig and Aunt Sarah Elmore Herwig(Biddy's
sister). I would love to know what happened to Nora's parents
and brother between the census years of 1870-1880? Most likely
they died, possibly from the Cholera outbreak of 1873 in Salt
Creek Township, where they were residing. Where are they
buried? Who is Nora's Uncle Barney? Is he the Bernard Rogers
(born 1844) that I found records for that lived in both Mason
and Fulton Counties during those years? I anyone has
information regarding these people, I would love to hear from
you. Thank you.

I am looking for information about David Carter, He
ran a ferry boat on the Sangamon River & was murdered in 1894.
Cannot find any documents except a few census documents. He and his
wife- I believe named Janetta and called Minnie had 7 children.
Minnie died first & David was left with the children who were
scattered to various family &/ friends. Can anyone help me with the
Carter cemetery location, newspapers of that time, funeral home
records etc. I have been to Kilbourne, Oakford & New Lebanon
cemeteries . His belongings were sold and the papers state he died
in Kilbourne. Any help would be appreciated.

FRANCIS DORRELL, Page 205 - "...During the war of
the rebellion, a son had entered the army and taken sick. Mr.
Darrell went to his relief, at Bolivar, Tenn., was himself taken
seriously ill, and not having the care and kindness that a home
afforded, nor even what might have been done in the soldier's camp,
he returned homeward, but never reached there [Easton], having died
in Havana, Jan. 15, 1863, much regretted by his many friends. The
funeral was conducted under the ritual of the Masonic order, of
which he was an honored member. "

Francis Dorrell is not listed in any of the Mason
County cemetery books (I have checked them all). Huldah Dorrell is
buried at Leveldale Cemetery as are some of their children,
including Susanna C. Thompson nee Dorrell (my direct line).